Finishes without pro-equipment

[Bruno]

My friends, I make 2 fundamental request (excuse me if it's already discussed):

1. what finishes for the body and neck you know that don't require professional equipment? (No compressor, etc..)
I known:
- true-oil and wax (but... it's ok for a body? For a mahogany neck?)
- *ceralacca* (in Italian): I believe *sailing wax* (I don't know exact traslation in English, sorry)

2. Someone could tell me how to made the finish like a Ibanez jem 7BSB?


Thank you

 

[marco.drago]

Ciao, I'm italian too. The translation for "ceralacca" is Shellac, so they understand.
You have also another possibility, is tung oil.
Tung oil is a natural finish, while tru oil is a mix of cooked linen oil and addictives to harden it.
If ou want to use tung oil (olio di tung), you can mix it  with lemonene (terpeni d'arancia).The last is a  natural exctrat from orange and lemon, and works more or less like "trementina", but have a wonderful smell. Tung oil with lemonene  works much better than tung oil alone (percentage 50% 50%). Apply minimum 6 coats of the mix with a cloth. if you apply more coats is better. The coats must be thin, the wood must adsorbe all the oil, and when you finish to rub it, dry with a soft cloth the excess oil. 12 hours between a coat and the next one would be fine, but it depends from the temperature.
Tru oil make a brilliant finish, tung oil make it opaque.
There are other oils, but most people don't use them anymore.
Don't put wax on shellac or tru oil, it doesn't dry and it is greasy. Expecially, don't put it on the neck.
Bye.

 

[marco.drago]

ERRATA CORRIGE: LA CERALACCA E' QUELLA CON CUI SI SIGILLANO LE LETTERE
LE CHITARRE SI VERNICIANO CON GOMMALACCA (shellac)